After wrapping up arrangements for the subsequent exploration and drilling operations, Martin finally returned to America, weary but satisfied.
The very next day, he appeared at the New York premiere of The 25th Hour, a dramatic film produced by his friend Tobey Maguire.
Leonardo DiCaprio was also in attendance.
Spotting Martin, Leonardo playfully punched him on the chest and exclaimed, with a mix of envy and mock resentment:
"Look at you! Venturing into the energy sector now? Oil tycoon? Wow, that's leagues ahead of being an entertainment mogul in terms of power and prestige!"
Tobey Maguire, standing nearby, chuckled and chimed in:
"You know, months ago, when I mentioned to Spike Lee that Martin would attend the premiere, he said, 'You got Martin to come? Nice work, Tobey!' But after Martin successfully bid on that UAE oilfield, Spike came back to confirm if he'd really be at the premiere and told me, 'Fantastic job, Tobey! That's Martin Myers!'"
Tobey sighed, shaking his head in amazement.
"He even shared one of his prized cigars with me, just because I'm Martin's friend! I've known Spike Lee for years, and he's never done that before!"
Leonardo jokingly nudged Tobey and said, "Oh, so now that we're Martin's friends, we've got a big-shot backer. Tobey, does that mean we can walk around Hollywood like kings now?"
"I'm good, thanks. I don't want to be a crab," Tobey quipped.
"C'mon, you know what I mean!" Leonardo exclaimed, throwing up his hands.
Amused by the banter, Martin interjected, "If anyone tries to mess with you two, just drop my name and tell them you're my girls."
Leonardo exaggeratedly patted Tobey's shoulder. "Did you hear that? If you ever get cornered, just let them know you're one of Martin's girls!"
Tobey raised an eyebrow. "He said we are."
Leonardo smirked. "Not me. I'm Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood superstar. Who's bold enough to mess with me? Nope, this privilege belongs to you, Tobey!"
"Get lost! I don't need it either!"
As the trio laughed and joked, Spike Lee approached them. Contrary to the commanding presence one might expect from a veteran director, he was warm and unassuming.
"Martin, welcome! I honestly didn't think Tobey could get you to come," Spike said with a smile, extending his hand.
Martin shook his hand graciously. "Director Lee, it's a pleasure. Tobey's a good friend, so of course, I couldn't turn him down."
Spike exchanged pleasantries with Leonardo and chatted briefly with the group before leaving to mingle elsewhere.
Watching Spike Lee walk away, Leonardo muttered, "I don't like what he said about every movie needing Black actors. That's not about equality; that's about putting one race above others. Casting should be based on talent and suitability for the role, not skin color."
Martin gave him a light slap on the back. "Hollywood's political winds are shifting. Keep those thoughts to yourself unless you want unnecessary trouble."
Leonardo groaned. "I know, I know. I'm just venting to you guys. Damn political correctness!"
"Yeah, damn political correctness," Martin agreed.
After watching the film with his friends, Martin concluded it was well-made.
Spike Lee's films rarely achieved massive box office success, but they also never fell below a certain standard.
However, the movie's central flaw, in Martin's view, was its overreach. Spike Lee tried to tackle too many themes—moral redemption, father-son relationships, racial divisions, betrayal, and forgiveness—all within the same film. It was like stepping into a supermarket overflowing with enticing products, leaving the audience unsure of what to choose.
Edward Norton's nuanced performance, tinged with a touch of neurosis, stood out. It gave Martin plenty to reflect on and learn from, solidifying his respect for the actor's talent—far superior to someone standing beside him.
(Leonardo: "...Hey!")
Martin also appreciated the film's circular narrative structure, where events or scenes from earlier were mirrored later in the story. Combined with the multi-threaded storytelling that stretched across different timelines and spaces, it created a layered and intricate experience reminiscent of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.
Overall, it was a film worth watching.
After the screening, Leonardo, inspired by Edward Norton's performance, began imitating the protagonist's profanity-laden mirror monologue:
"Well, fuck you, too. Fuck me? Fuck you! Fuck this whole city and everyone in it..."
The monologue was long, and Leonardo, whose dialogue skills were middling at best, struggled to get through it. Frustrated, he eventually gave up, muttering:
"Who can even say such a ridiculously long monologue? Damn it, I bet Edward Norton used a teleprompter to nail this scene!"
Leonardo narrowed his eyes. "What's so funny?"
Without answering, Martin launched into the monologue himself, delivering the entire passage fluently, passionately, and without missing a beat.
Leonardo and Tobey stared at him, dumbfounded.
Tobey gasped. "Oh my God! You memorized the whole thing after just one viewing?"
Leonardo threw up his hands in mock despair. "I'm officially done. I hate prodigies. Seriously, it's demoralizing!"
Martin smirked and said, "Well? Admit it, boys. Who's your daddy?"
Leonardo glanced at Tobey. "What do you think?"
Tobey clenched his fist. "Let's take him down!"
The three friends erupted into playful chaos.